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Minutes of a Meeting of the North Olmsted Parks and Recreation Commission March 5, 2007 Mr. Garrity then asked for a copy of the financial reports, and Ms. Copfer was glad to accommodate him. The Commission then thanked Ms. Copfer for her time, and she left at 7:40 p.m. Ms. Kanis then asked Mr. Garrity if he had anything he had to address to the Commission. Mr. Garrity said that there is a major concern that the Hockey Club will not be able to open and have ice, and there remains uneasiness about this. There are people booking – meaning leaving for other locations. They are getting Mr. Garrity’s signature on their releases, and that does not usually happen until August when trials start. Now they are having trials sooner in April and May. People are getting real gun shy because if ice doesn’t come up, these kids can’t play here, and they can’t get on a team because the trials are already happening. There is a lot of concern about that. As you well know, it’s a difficult situation, and Mr. Garrity is trying to monitor it with John (Dailey’s) help. Ms. Kanis suggested to Mr. Garrity to give Mr. DiSalvo and Mr. Dailey’s numbers to them because Ms. Kanis is talking to them, and they are not listening to her at all. Mr. Dailey said that this is strictly a maintenance issue, and we all have the greatest hope in the world that everything is going to go smoothly, but we don’t know that. It’s not like the rink is going to be shut down by Community Life Services, Recreation, and the City of North Olmsted on purpose and hope that it doesn’t come back. Mr. Garrity said that we have the fear. The intent is to be down for a few weeks, get it back up and raring to go. Mr. Garrity said that, more than anything else, it’s very bad timing because it hasn’t been taken down for seven years. All of a sudden, it’s being taken down when there is a Master Plan coming. Anything the NOHC does – and perception is the name of the game – the perception isn’t being given. Mr. DiSalvo said that this is off season, and the Rec had one week rented up until two weeks ago. Mr. Garrity said that Jeff Marshall said the Rec was going to take down the ice, and that is his livelihood. Mr. Garrity said that ice is at a premium in a lot of places. Mr. DiSalvo said that if you look in our book, the Rec was not going to take the ice down; Marshall left, and there was only one week…Mr. Garrity said he understood that maintenance has to be done; it’s an evil necessity, that’s what it all comes down to. It should go down every year. Mr. Dailey said that the timing doesn’t look good, and that is what Ed Garrity’s point is. Mr. Garrity said that everyone is thinking that the Rec can promise them the world but in the back of their heads is asking, what’s going on? It’s all timing. Ms. Kanis reiterated that Mr. Dailey’s and Mr. DiSalvo’s numbers should be given to the players. Mr. Garrity said that the NOHC has impressed upon the clubs that this Master Plan means to be dignified; it’s not a screaming match; it’s not anything but a presentation. Give the City the benefit of the doubt and hear them out, and if you have concerns, be dignified about it. You owe them that much respect. Mr. Dailey said there was a discussion with the schools as well sharing the same concerns as Mr. Garrity. We’re taking the ice down; we expect it to come back, and there is going to be a hockey season in 2007 and, hopefully, as long as the facility is still here. The schools shared the same concerns. The bad news is that we just can’t promise anybody anything. With the above in mind, Mr. Dailey asked that the Rec Commission members be at the meeting on th Thursday, March 8, to hear the comments from the public on the Rec Master Plan, which will help as we move forward and to make our recommendations to Council in April or May. Everyone will be given a comment card. Mr. Garrity said it would help calm some of the waters if a timetable could be given. Mr. Dailey said that the earliest we would go to a ballot would be 2008 after the school Page 7